Laszlo Mozsik

Biotechnological production of antimicrobials ESR 2.3

Genome editing tools for activating silent antimicrobial agents

The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a recent molecular tool that has revolutionized genome editing of all kind of cells. In the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology, the Cas9 endonuclease is guided by a single chimeric guide RNA to a specific locus, where it introduces a double strand break in the DNA sequence that can be used for enhanced homology directed repair. Recently, we have developed highly efficient CRISPR/Cas9 based marker-free genome editing tools for Penicillium chrysogenum. During the ALERT program, the aim is to employ the Cas9 protein to allow for RNA-guided transcriptional regulation. This technology will be used to upregulate silent endogenous secondary metabolite genes in P. chrysogenum and will be transferred to other fungi.